November 27, 2013

Scandrick says he and Terence Newman, great friends, share career similarities

Orlando Scandrick said he remains close to Terence Newman, talking to him every week, and believes they share similarities.

“Terence was very humbled. He was a good player that didn’t get a lot of recognition,” Scandrick said. “I think we share in some of the similarities. He was a good player here for nine years.”

Scandrick said Newman remains a great friend.

“When I talk to him, we just talk about different stuff that’s going on, how he’s playing and how I’m playing,” Scandrick said. “I always thank him for the things he did for me. He always tells me about how much he’s seen me grown. He’s just a great friend to me.”

Since Newman left two years ago, Scandrick has ascended into a role as one of the Cowboys’ top defensive players. He is a starting cornerback and there are hints of a Pro Bowl bid for him.

Do people appreciate how well Scandrick is playing?

“I don’t know. I should be asking you guys that,” he said. “I’m just playing. My job is to come here and play. I didn’t worry about what you guys thought about me when I wasn’t ‘living up to my contract’ or living up to the player everybody thought I was. Now I’m focused. It’s like tunnel vision. I’m just looking up the next opponent and trying to be consistent and do it again next week.”

Scandrick thought back on how far he had come.

“I’m just better. I’m not going to stay the same; nothing stays the same,” he said. “I think everybody forgets that when I came in, I didn’t get time to sit back and learn. Everything I do is learning on the fly. I was playing nickel my first year and my second year I was competing for a starting job, which it actually came down to the season to who they determined was the starter. The guy who basically beat me out went to the Pro Bowl that year.

“So people are going to say what they’re going to say. Criticism is going to be criticism.”